Capsule for containing an aromatic essence, process and apparatus that use such capsule

ABSTRACT

The capsule ( 1 ) for containing an aromatic essence that can be used in an apparatus for producing an aromatic beverage comprises a body having at least one inlet hole ( 2 ) and respectively at least one outlet hole ( 3 ), respectively closed by a first and a second water-soluble caps ( 4, 5 ).

The present invention refers to a capsule for containing an aromatic essence and to a process and an apparatus that use such capsule for producing an aromatic beverage.

Automatic or semi-automatic machines, for example for making coffee, are known in the art, adapted for producing a beverage through infusion or melting of the essence contained in the capsule.

The parts composing the capsules that are commonly used are generally composed of materials that can hardly or cannot be recycled.

In particular, the capsule body, as well as its possible tongues protecting the inlet and/or outlet capsule holes and the paper filters covering the inlet and/or outlet holes, generally cannot be recycled.

Consequently, traditional capsules, after their use, must be disposed of in wastes.

Another inconvenience linked to traditional capsules is that a risk of contamination occurs for the beverage being produced, with residuals deriving from the previous operating cycle of the machine.

This is unpleasant, even more if the beverage being produced is a different type from the beverage produced in the previous cycle, in this case the contamination implying a high decay of the organoleptic properties of the beverage being produced.

Object of the present invention, therefore, is providing a capsule for containing an aromatic essence, a process and an apparatus that use such capsule for producing an aromatic beverage that allow removing the above prior art technical inconveniences.

Within such technical task, an object of the invention is providing a capsule for containing an aromatic essence that is completely able to be recycled.

Another object of the invention is providing a capsule for containing an aromatic essence and an apparatus that uses such capsule for producing an aromatic beverage that are suitable to avoid that the beverage being produced is contaminated with residuals deriving from a previous operating cycle of a different type of beverage.

Another object of the invention is providing a capsule for containing an aromatic essence and an apparatus that uses such capsule for producing an aromatic beverage, that allow optimising the organoleptic properties of the produced beverage, being it a hot or cold aromatic beverage, with or without gas, based on tea, coffee, a tisane, a soup, a thirst-quenching drink, an energising drink, or a food integrating drink.

Another object of the invention is providing a capsule for containing an aromatic essence and an apparatus that uses such capsule for producing an aromatic beverage, that are structurally simple and inexpensive, but extremely reliable and functional, and that can be adapted with flexibility to various uses.

The above and other tasks and objects according to the present invention are obtained by providing a capsule for containing an aromatic essence that can be used in an apparatus for producing an aromatic beverage, characterised in that it comprises a body having at least one inlet hole and respectively at least one outlet hole, respectively closed by a first and a second water-soluble cap.

Other characteristics of the present invention are further defined in the following claims.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be better clear from the following description of a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment of the capsule for producing an aromatic beverage according to the invention, shown as a non-limiting example in the enclosed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the capsule and the positioning seat of the capsule in the apparatus for producing the aromatic beverage according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the capsule of FIG. 1 sectioned with a central axial plane; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the capsule of FIG. 1.

With reference to the mentioned figures, a capsule is shown for contanining an aromatic essence that can be used in an apparatus for producing an aromatic beverage, globally designated with reference number 1.

The capsule 1 comprises a body having at least one inlet hole 2 and respectively at least one outlet hole 3, respectively closed by a first and a second water-soluble caps 4 and 5.

Preferably, the first and second caps 4 and 5 are water-soluble at a different temperature, and in particular the first cap 4 is water-soluble at a lower temperature than the second cap 5.

In this way, the apparatus can firstly send into the capsule 1 a first flow of water at a suitable temperature to melt only the first cap 4, so that said first flow of water remains inside the capsule 1 for the necessary time to be mixed with the aromatic essence and melt it or perform the infusion, and secondly a second flow of water with a higher temperature than the first flow of water in order to possibly complete the melting or infusion, but above all for melting the second cap 5 and allowing to deliver the beverage outside the capsule 1.

In a preferred arrangement, the body of the capsule is made of thermoformed plastics that is obtained, as known, through a simple moulding operation.

The plastics of which the capsule body is made can be recycled and therefore, after having used the capsule, since the first and second caps 4 and 5 have melted, the capsule itself can be completely recycled.

According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, the capsule 1 is made of completely biodegradable material.

The capsule 1, therefore, can both be recycled and be disposed of in an ecologic way without risks of environmental damages.

The inlet hole 2 and the outlet hole 3 are countersunk, and in particular are recessed with respect to the surface of the bases 6 and 7 of the body of the capsule 1 thorugh which thickness they extend.

Advantageously, the position of the outlet hole 3 is related to the position of a corresponding collector 8 of a plurality of collectors 8 that can be found in a seat 9 of the apparatus for producing the beverage in which the capsule 1 is placed.

Different positions of the outlet hole 3 correspond to different types of aromatic essence contained inside the capsule 1. The collectors 8 are adapted to be selectively and sealingly associated each one with its related outlet hole 3 of the capsule 1 when this latter one is placed in its positioning seat 9.

The capsule 1 provides for means (not shown) for a compulsory positioning in the positioning seat 9, so that only by inserting the capsule 1 with its correct orientation, it is possible to operate the apparatus for producing the beverage.

The compulsory positioning means can, as an example, comprise a recess whose shape mates with a projection of the positioning seat 9 or vice versa.

In a preferred case, the compulsory positioning means can be found on a side wall of the capsule 1.

The above-described arrangement is particularly suitable when the aromatic essence is water-soluble, and the beverage is prepared through melting the aromatic essence.

In an arrangement, not shown, of the capsule 1, particularly suitable when the aromatic essence is not water-soluble and the beverage is prepared through infusion of the aromatic essence, for example powdery coffee, at least the outlet hole 3 has, as replacement or in combination with the second cap 5, a paper filter, possibly protected by a tongue, typically made of aluminium, that can be removed before using the capsule.

Obviously, in this case, also the inlet hole 2 can have, as replacement or in combination with the first cap 4, a paper filter, possibly protected by a tongue, typically made of aluminium, that can be removed before using the capsule.

Moreover, in this case, every paper filter can have a layered structure comprising a first layer made of traditional material and a second layer made of water-soluble material.

In every preferred embodiment, the capsule 1 is preferably shaped as a cube.

As shown, the bases 6 and 7, in which inlet hole 2 and outlet hole 3 are obtained, are composed of parallel faces of the cubic body.

The bases 6 and 7 are crossed along their internal side by grooves 10 and 11 that radially depart from the inlet and outlet holes 2 and 3.

Such grooves 10 and 11 homogeneously distribute water inside the capsule 1 to optimise the esence infusion or melting.

The capsule 1 is preferably divided, transversally to its axis 16, into two chambers 14 and 15 by a partition 12, also made of plastic, equipped with calibrated holes 13.

The partition 12 is freely slidable along the axis 16 of the capsule 1.

The aromatic essence is contained in the chamber 15 defined between partition 12 and base 7 having the outlet hole 3.

The holes 13 have a cumulative passage surface that is smaller than the passage surface of the inlet hole 2 in order to create, in the chamber 14, an overpressure that generates a force for moving the partition 12 towards the base 7.

In this way, during the infusion, the aromatic essence is kept compact and pressed towards the outlet hole 3.

The moving force can be adjusted by modifying the ratio between inlet hole 2 surface and cumulative surface of the holes 13 of the partition 12.

In a different application, the aromatic essence can be placed also or only in the chamber 14.

The operation of the apparatus for producing an aromatic beverage according to the invention appears clear from what has been described and shown and, in particular, it is substantially as follows.

A capsule 1 is selected according to the type of desired beverage.

As an example, a capsule 1 containing powdery coffee has its inlet hole 2 in the centre of the base 6 and its outlet hole 3 in the centre of the base 7, a capsule 1 containing powdery tea has its inlet hole 2 in the centre of the base 6 but its outlet hole 3 next to a first edge of the base 7, and so on.

The recognition of the type of capsule 1 can be also facilitated by placing thereon an indication, typically a specific mark and/or colouring.

Once having performed the choice of a beverage and therefore of a capsule 1, this latter one is inserted with its correct orientation in its positioning seat 9.

The shape of the outlet hole 3 facilitates the sealed coupling of the corresponding collector 8.

After having inserted the capsule 1 into its positioning seat 9, the apparatus delivers the first flow of water that melts only the first cap 4 and is mixed with the aromatic essence powder, and only afterwards delivers the second flow of hotter water that melts also the second cap 5 for making the infuse go out of the capsule 1.

If, in the following operating cycle, the production of a different type of beverage is required, the new capsule 1 will have, with respect to the previous capsule 1, an outlet hole 3 in such a different position as to be coupled with a different collector 8: the infuse outlet path will then be different and will exclude the possible contamination of the beverage with possible residuals deriving from the production of the previous beverage.

If the capsule 1 has the first cap 4 and the second cap 5 exposed to the environment without any protection, it is conceivable that the machine, before supplying water to the capsule 1, performs an external pre-washing operation on the capsule 1 with a suitable flow of pre-washing water.

The thereby conceived apparatus for producing an infuse of an aromatic beverage is subjected to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the invention. Obviously, moreover, also all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the used materials, in addition to sizes, could be of any type according to needs and state of the art. 

1. A capsule for containing an aromatic essence that can be used in an apparatus for producing an aromatic beverage, where the capsule comprises a body having at least one inlet hole and at least one outlet hole, and where the capsule is closed by a first water-soluble cap and a second water-soluble cap.
 2. The capsule of claim 1, where the first and second caps are water-soluble at a different temperature.
 3. The capsule of claim 1, where the first cap is water-solubleat a lower temperature than said second cap.
 4. The capsule of claim 1, where the body is made of thermoformed plastics adapted to be recycled.
 5. The capsule of claim 1, where the body is made of completely biodegradable material.
 6. The capsule of claim 1, where the inlet hole and the outlet hole are countersunk.
 7. The capsule of claim 1, where the body further comprises bases having a surface and a thickness, and where the inlet hole and outlet hole are recessed with respect to the surface of the bases, and where the inlet hole and outlet hole extend through the thickness of the bases.
 8. The capsule of claim 7, where the bases have an internal side and grooves along the internal side for a homogeneous distribution of water inside the capsule.
 9. The capsule of claim 1, where a position of the outlet hole is positioned next to a corresponding collector of a plurality of collectors that can be found in a positioning seat of the apparatus.
 10. The capsule of claim 1, where the outlet hole has different positions that correspond to different types of aromatic essence contained inside the capsule.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The capsule of claim 9, where the capsule comprises a recess whose shape mates with a projection of the positioning seat.
 13. The capsule of claim 1, where the capsule is shaped like a cube.
 14. The capsule of claim 1, where the outlet hole has, as replacement of the second cap, a paper filter or has a removable protecting tongue, or has both a paper filter and a removable protecting tongue.
 15. The capsule of claim 1, where the outlet hole has, in combination with the second cap, a paper filter or has a removable protecting tongues or has both a paper filter and a removable protecting tongue.
 16. The capsule of claim 1, where the inlet hole has, as replacement of the first cap, a paper filter or has a removable protecting tongue, or has both a paper filter and a removable protecting tongue.
 17. The capsule of claim 1, where the inlet hole has, in combination with the first cap, a paper filter or has a removable protecting tongue, or has both a paper filter and a removable protecting tongue.
 18. The capsule of claim 14, where the paper filter has a layered structure comprising a first layer of filtering material and a second layer of water-soluble material.
 19. The capsule of claim 1, where the capsule further comprises a transverse dividing partition separating the capsule into two chambers, and having calibrated passage holes inside the capsule, the partition being guided by internal side walls of the body in order to translate between the inlet hole and the outlet hole due to a pressure difference existing between the chambers.
 20. An apparatus for producing an aromatic beverage with the capsule of claim 9, where the positioning seat has a plurality of collectors, and where each collector is associated with a corresponding outlet hole of the capsule.
 21. A process for preparing a beverage with a capsule and an apparatus for producing an aromatic beverage with a capsule; where the capsule comprises a body having at least one inlet hole and at least one outlet hole; where the capsule is closed by a first water-soluble cap and a second water-soluble cap; where a position of the outlet hole is positioned next to a corresponding collector of a plurality of collectors that can be found in a positioning seat of the apparatus; where the positioning seat has a plurality of collectors; and where each collector is associated with a corresponding outlet hole of the capsule where the process comprises: a) sending to the capsule a first flow of water at a first temperature at which the first cap melts, but the second cap does not melt, to allow keeping the first flow of water inside the capsule for a necessary time for infusion or melting of the aromatic essence contained in the capsule; and b) sending to the capsule a second flow of water at a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature, at which the second cap melts so that the beverage is delivered outside the capsule. 